Orientin alleviates the inflammatory response in psoriasis like dermatitis in BALB/c mice by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory condition of the skin, is characterized by an atypical proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes and immune cell infiltration. Orientin is a flavonoid monomer with potent anti-inflammatory activities. However, the therapeutic effects of orientin on psoriasis and the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of orientin on psoriasis and the underlying mechanisms using network pharmacology and experimental studies. METHODS: A psoriasis-like mouse model was established using imiquimod (IMQ). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to stimulate the RAW264.7 and HaCaT cells in vitro. The therapeutic effects of orientin and the underlying mechanism were analyzed using histopathological, immunohistochemical, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, and western blotting analyses. RESULTS: Orientin ameliorated skin lesions and suppressed keratinocyte proliferation and immune cell infiltration in the IMQ-induced psoriasis-like mouse model. Additionally, orientin inhibited the secretion of the pro-inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, and IL-23 in the psoriasis-like mouse model and LPS-induced RAW264.7 and HaCaT cells. Furthermore, orientin mitigated the LPS-induced upregulation of reactive oxygen species and downregulation of IL-10 and glutathione levels. Orientin alleviated inflammation by downregulating the MAPK signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: Orientin alleviated psoriasis-like dermatitis by suppressing the MAPK signaling pathway, suggesting that orientin is a potential therapeutic for psoriasis.

Clinical and Dermoscopic Insights Into Scalp Nevi in Chinese Children.

BACKGROUND: The presence of scalp nevi in children frequently causes apprehension, leading physicians and parents to consider unnecessary biopsies or excisions of scalp nevi in children. There are limited data on the dermoscopic characteristics of scalp nevi in Chinese children. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to comprehensively analyze the clinical and dermoscopic features of scalp nevi in this specific population of Chinese pediatric patients, with a focus on a single pediatric dermatologic surgery practice. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study investigated patients who underwent surgical excision of scalp nevi. All patients underwent dermoscopy with photographic documentation. RESULTS: Seventy-two scalp nevi in 56 Chinese children were included. Notably, no melanoma cases were detected. The parietal region (35, 48.6%) was the most frequently affected anatomical site. Clinical asymmetry was more prevalent in nevi with a diameter exceeding 6 mm (p < .05). The predominant dermoscopic pattern observed was the globular pattern (50, 69.4%) while an intriguing rarity of a reverse-eclipse pattern (1, 1.4%). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that scalp nevi in Chinese children usually did not exhibit concerning behavior. Increasing awareness of the clinical characteristics, dermoscopic features, and the natural progression of scalp nevi in children can potentially help reduce unnecessary surgical interventions.

A Calm, Dispassionate Look at Skin Microbiota in Atopic Dermatitis: An Integrative Literature Review.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic common inflammatory skin disorder with clinical characteristics of pruritic, dry, and recurrent flares that involve the whole body. Recent studies have demonstrated that the skin microbiota, characterized by an overgrowth of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), plays a critical role in the manifestation of AD. There is striking evidence that skin microbiota can modulate the development and progression of AD. Therefore, more and more therapeutic approaches are adopted for modifying skin microbiota. Here we discuss the role of skin microbiota in the etiology and maintenance of AD; furthermore, we summarize the effects of therapeutic treatments on skin microbiota in AD based on published literature. With the help of the theoretical guidance suggested by microbial metagenome analysis, the reconstitution of microbiota should be a promising way to harness the pathogens of AD and could be used as a brand-new therapeutic strategy in clinical trials. We believe that the targeted therapy of dysbiosis in AD may possibly become a unique approach to an integrated treatment program in the near future.

Validation of a novel high-intensity LED light source for skin phototesting at 365 nm.

BACKGROUND: The gold standard for investigation of patients with suspected photosensitivity involves phototesting on non-exposed skin with an irradiation monochromator (IM). However, this device is bulky, expensive and only available at a small number of specialised photodermatology units. We have developed a small handheld high output monochromatic light source for phototesting to UVA at 365 nm using light-emitting diodes (LEDs). METHODS: A UNO light engine (Enfis, Swansea, UK) at 365 nm was used to develop a handheld intense source. Seventy-seven normal healthy volunteers were phototested on the lower back with the LED source and with an IM at 365 nm. Minimal erythema dose (MED) at 24 h was assessed visually and by a diffuse reflectance erythemameter. RESULTS: In 77 volunteers, MED levels for the two sources agreed in 66 out of 77 cases (85.7%). In a further 10 out of 77 patients, the measured MED elicited by the LED source was 1 dose level higher than the monochromator MED. CONCLUSION: A high-intensity portable and low cost LED phototesting device was developed. The results confirm that phototesting to UVA at 365 nm using this LED light source compares favourably to monochromator light testing at this wavelength.

Propylthiouracil-induced ANCA-positive erythema nodosum treated with thalidomide.

BACKGROUND: Propylthiouracil (PTU), one of the mainstays of antithyroid therapy drugs, can lead to antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) positivity and skin lesions. PTU-induced ANCA-positive vasculitis is rare and even more rare is erythema nodosum. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of a 57-year-old woman with hyperthyroidism who developed myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA erythema nodosum after PTU treatment for 11 months. METHODS: Skin biopsy demonstrated septal panniculitis without vasculitis. PTU-induced ANCA-positive erythema nodosum was made. RESULTS: With discontinuation of PTU and initiation of thalidomide, skin lesions resolved completely in three weeks, and after three months, the titers of MPO-ANCA and perinuclear-ANCA (p-ANCA) had decreased remarkably. At 14-month follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic, but low levels of ANCA titers persisted. CONCLUSIONS: This report indicated that ANCA positive erythema nodosum could develop following PTU treatment. Thalidomide has been proven to be helpful and averted the adverse effects from systemic corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs in this patient.